Kahuku's Carvalho on the road to a "full recovery"


Kuuliko Carvalho, a senior wide receiver on the Kahuku football team who was hospitalized Saturday night after a devastating hit in the Red Raiders' season-ending loss to Campbell, was released from the Queen's Medical Center Tuesday and his health is improving, according to his head coach, Reggie Torres.

"He's doing good. He's at home now," Torres said.

Carvalho was on the receiving end of a jarring hit in the third quarter after running a route over the middle of the field. The back of his head slammed into the turf after the initial hit, causing Carvalho to lose consciousness. The game was halted for about 40 minutes while athletic trainers from both teams tended to Carvalho until paramedics and firefighters arrived at John Kauinana Stadium. As Carvalho was being carted into the ambulance, he gave a thumbs-up to his teammates and the crowd. He suffered a concussion, some nerve damage and lost four teeth, but Torres said Sunday that three of the teeth were salvaged while the fourth would require a root canal.

"He's got to go to the dentist and get a root canal, but he's in good spirits," Torres said. "It will be a full recovery, but it will take time."

Carvalho, who also plays basketball, has yet to return to school. Torres said that doctors do not want him playing any sports for three months, but it hardly put a damper on things.

"Compared to what's going on with Farrington, we're counting our blessings," Torres said. 



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].